Volume 12, Issue 3 (Autumn 2025)
J Prevent Med 2025, 12(3): 267-284 |
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Ethics code: IR.IAU.BA.REC.1405.026
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Aryanpour M M, Ghasemi S, Dehghani Ghanatghestani M. Assessment of bioaccumulation and ecological risks of heavy metals in mollusks of the Hara Protected Area, Hormozgan Province. J Prevent Med 2025; 12 (3) :267-284
URL: http://jpm.hums.ac.ir/article-1-745-en.html
URL: http://jpm.hums.ac.ir/article-1-745-en.html
1- Ph.D Student of Environmental Management, Department of Environmental Sciences, BA.C., Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran
2- Assoc. Prof., Marin Environmental Research Center, BA.C., Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
3- Assoc. Prof., Department of Environmental science and engineering, BA.C., Islamic Azad University, BandarAbbas
2- Assoc. Prof., Marin Environmental Research Center, BA.C., Islamic Azad University, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
3- Assoc. Prof., Department of Environmental science and engineering, BA.C., Islamic Azad University, BandarAbbas
Abstract: (348 Views)
Introduction: The Persian Gulf coastline is one of the world’s most valuable marine ecosystems and is increasingly threatened by heavy metal contamination. These persistent pollutants exhibit mutagenic and carcinogenic properties and can enter aquatic food webs through bioaccumulation, posing risks to marine organisms and human health. Due to its filter-feeding behavior, the razor clam (Solen sp.) is an effective bioindicator of heavy metal pollution.
Methods: In this study, razor clam specimens were collected, transported to the laboratory, measured biometrically, digested, and analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Water samples were collected simultaneously and analyzed for dissolved metal concentrations. The Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) and Ecological Hazard Assessment (EHA) indices were subsequently calculated to evaluate metal accumulation and ecological risk.
Results: The results showed that nickel exhibited the highest bioaccumulation, with BAF values of 96.14 and 77.40 in winter and summer, respectively. Such accumulation may adversely affect ecosystem structure and function, reduce the abundance and reproductive capacity of aquatic organisms, degrade fisheries resources, alter food availability in the water column and sediments, and contribute to oxygen depletion.
Discussion: The Ecological hazard assessment indicated that chromium, cadmium, nickel, and cobalt presented the highest ecological risks, with chromium posing the greatest threat to aquatic organisms and the surrounding environment. Statistical analysis revealed significant seasonal differences in chromium and cadmium concentrations among razor clam samples collected from the margins of the studied mangrove forests (P<0.05), suggesting that seasonal variation influences heavy metal accumulation and ecological risk in this ecosystem.
Methods: In this study, razor clam specimens were collected, transported to the laboratory, measured biometrically, digested, and analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Water samples were collected simultaneously and analyzed for dissolved metal concentrations. The Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) and Ecological Hazard Assessment (EHA) indices were subsequently calculated to evaluate metal accumulation and ecological risk.
Results: The results showed that nickel exhibited the highest bioaccumulation, with BAF values of 96.14 and 77.40 in winter and summer, respectively. Such accumulation may adversely affect ecosystem structure and function, reduce the abundance and reproductive capacity of aquatic organisms, degrade fisheries resources, alter food availability in the water column and sediments, and contribute to oxygen depletion.
Discussion: The Ecological hazard assessment indicated that chromium, cadmium, nickel, and cobalt presented the highest ecological risks, with chromium posing the greatest threat to aquatic organisms and the surrounding environment. Statistical analysis revealed significant seasonal differences in chromium and cadmium concentrations among razor clam samples collected from the margins of the studied mangrove forests (P<0.05), suggesting that seasonal variation influences heavy metal accumulation and ecological risk in this ecosystem.
Type of Study: Orginal |
Subject:
Environmental Health
Received: 2025/10/10 | Accepted: 2025/11/7 | Published: 2026/08/11
Received: 2025/10/10 | Accepted: 2025/11/7 | Published: 2026/08/11
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